Article carrier



March 15, 1966 w. A. NOVAJOVSKY 3,240,351

ARTICLE CARRIER Filed Sept. 3, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u INVENTOR. [Mam/viMVi/fl/JK/ iffar/If/ March 15, 1966 w, NQVAJOVSKY 3,240,361

ARTICLE CARRIER Filed Sept. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VE N TOR.Kim/4m A? Mm/muf/ .of the transmitting equipment.

United States Patent 3,240,361 ARTICLE CARRIER William A. Novajovslry,Lancaster, Pa., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporationof Delaware Filed Sept. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 394,210 4 Claims. (Cl. 2141)This inventionrelates to carriers for large size electron tubes and thelike, and particularly to a novel electron tube carrier adapted tofacilitate rapid removal of a de fective electron tube from theequipment in which the tube is used and replacement of the electron tubewith an electron tube carried by said carrier.

In certain electron tube applications, such as in high power televisionsignal transmission, it is desirable to replace defective transmittingtubes as rapidly as possible in order to reduce the down time oroff-the-air time Because of the large size and weight of high powertransmitting tubes, an appreciable amount of time and effort has beenused in the past to remove the defective tube from the transmittingequipment, bring a replacement tube to the transmitting equipment, andmount the replacement tube in the equipment.

An object of this invention is to provide a n-ovel carrier for large andheavy articles for facilitating rapid removal and replacement of thearticles from equipment in which the articles are used.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carrier forlarge size electron tubes which is capable of carrying a replacementelectron tube in one compartment thereof, receiving an electron tube inanother compartment thereof, and reversing the positions of thedefective and replacement tubes for easy and rapid mounting of thereplacement tube in place of the defective tube.

For achieving these objects in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention, a carrier is provided comprising a rigid support member whichmay be mounted on a set of wheels, the support member including in itsnormal operative position a pair of spaced vertical members. Mountedbetween said vertical members for rotation about a horizontal axis is acradle assembly including a pair of tube-carrying cradles, each cradlehaving an open end. Each cradle includes a pair of horizontallyextending channel means for receipt of portions of an electron tube tobe carried within each cradle. Electron tubes may be horizontally andend-wise loaded and unloaded through the open end of the cradles. Meansare provided for locking the rotatable cradle assembly with thetube-receiving cradles disposed one directly above the other. The uppercradle may be positioned in horizontal alignment with a tube mounted ina tube socket, whereby a defective tube may be readily removed from itssocket and inserted end-wise into the upper cradle, the cradle assemblyrotated around a horizontal axis to reverse the positions of the cradlesand to align a replacement tube carried in the lower cradle with thesocket, and the replacement tube removed from its cradle and mounted inthe socket.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of a carrier of thisinvention, said carrier being shown carrying a replacement tube andbeing positioned adjacent a transmitting tube mounted in a socket, onlya portion of the latter tube being shown:

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the carrier shown in FIG. 1 and showingtwo tubes being carried by the carrier; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, in section, of a portion of the carriershown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows a carrier 10 having a known type of 3,24%,361 Patented Mar.15, 1966 klystron type transmitting tube 12 mounted thereon. Anotherklystron tube 12 is shown in FIG. 1 mounted in horizontal position.

In the use of klystron tubes in transmitting equipment, the tubes aregenerally mounted with their longitudinal axes in vertical orientation.To facilitate mounting and removal of the tube from the socket in whichthe klystron tube is mounted, the socket is pivotally mounted forrotation between a vertical operating position and a horizontal mountingand removing position. Klystron tube sockets and the equipment in whichklystron tubes are used are known and are not shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the klystron tubes 12, 12' have aplurality of mounting rollers 14 extending outwardly from the sides ofthe tubes by means of which the tubes may be supported.

The carrier 10 comprises a generally U-shaped framework 18 (FIG. 1)including a pair of oppositely disposed bottom horizontal members 20 anda pair of oppositely disposed vertical ends 22. To add strength to theframework 18, diagonal braces 24 are provided extending between thevertical ends 22'and the bottom members 20. Framework 18 is mounted on apair of cross-members 26 extending between bottom members 20, and thecrossmembers 26 are mounted on wheels 28 to permit rolling of thecarrier.

Mounted between the vertical ends 22 for rotation about a horizontalaxis is a cradle assembly 32. A bearing 34 (only one of which is visiblein FIG. 1) is mounted on the top of each vertical end 22. In eachbearing 34 is rotatably received a tubular shaft 36 having a flange 38at one end thereof. Flanges 38 are secured to support plates 40 betweenwhich are mounted a pair of diametrically opposed and open-endedklystron tube carrying cradles 42 and 44. Each cradle 42 and 44comprises a pair of oppositely disposed and horizontally extending sidemembers 46 terminating in leg members 48 secured to support plates 40.As shown in FIG. 2, legs 48 are so shaped as to provide each cradle 42and 44 with an open end through which a tube 12, 12' may be end-wiseloaded or unloaded. Bracing members 52 extend between adjacent sidemembers 46 of the two cradles 42 and 44. For providing torsionalrigidity to the cradle assembly a tubular shaft 56 (FIG. 1) is providedextending axially of the assembly and secured to support plates 40 andlegs 48. Additional bracing members 58 are provided between tubularshaft 56 and bracing members 52.

The various framework supports and bracing members referred to arepreferably made of metal tubing for providing rigidity with relativelylight weight. The joints between connecting tubing members may bewelded.

Cradle assembly 32 is rotatably mounted between the framework verticalends 22, as already described. For locking the cradle assembly 32 in apreselected angular position a locking pin 62 is mounted on theleft-hand vertical end 22, as viewed in FIG. 1. Two pin-receiving holes64 are provided in the left-hand plate 40 for receipt of the pin 62 forlocking the cradle assembly 32 in place. Holes 64 are so arranged withrespect to the cradles 42 and 44 that the cradle assembly 32 can belocked in place with the cradles 42 and 44 in vertical alignment, aselected one over the other.

For receiving the mounting rollers 14 of the klystron tubes 12, 12 andfor supporting a tube 12 or 12' within each cradle 42 and 44, ahorizontally extending roller guide and support assembly 70 is mountedon each of the cradle side members 46. Each guide assembly 70 comprisesfour horizontally extending members 72, 74, 76 and 78 (FIG. 3). Member72 is L-shaped and is secured along its length as by welding to thecradle side support member 46. Member 76 is also L-shaped and is;securedas by welding along its length to member 72. Mounted on member 76 as bymeans of screws 82 are member '78, which is preferably of a softmaterial such as a nylon plastic, and fiat member 74. Side portions 84and 86 of members 74 and 76, respectively, extend be yond the side ofmember 78, and the three members 74, 76 and 78 define a channel 90 (FIG.3) for receiving, guiding, and supporting the rollers 14 of a tube 12,12. For clarity, channel 90 is shown somewhat larger than rollers 14 inFIG. 3. To prevent excessive falling of the tubes 12, 12' as the cradleassembly 32 .is rotated, channel 90 is preferably only slightly largerthan rollers 14. Member 78 is made of a soft material, such as nylonplastic, to prevent scaring of the outer sides of rollers 14 and theouter ends of the pins 14 on which the rollers are mounted duringrolling of the tube 12, 12 into or out of the cradles.

To the left of the guide and support assemblies 70, as viewed in FIG. 1,a stop 94 is provided in each channel 90. The stops 94 engage theleading rollers 14 of a tube 12, 12' when a tube is rolled into a cradle42, 44 and provide proper lengthwise positioning of the tube within thecradle. Although not shown, a spring-loaded latch assembly may beprovided adjacent the stop for latching the roller 14 against. the stopfor holding the tube 12, 12 firmly in place. Also, straps 100 (FIG. 2),secured to the guide and support assemblies 70, may be used to strap thetubes 12, 12' in place.

For the purpose of facilitating entry of the tube rollers 14 intochannel 90, the end of the channel is enlarged in size. Member 74terminates short of the ends of members 76 and 78 at the right end ofthe carriers, as viewed in FIG. 1, and the right-hand end of member 78tapers to a reduced width. The right-hand end of member 76 ends in a lip96 which curves away from the longitudinal axis of channel 90.

For the purpose of facilitating alignment of the carrier with a klystrontube 12' mounted in its horizontal removal position, anoutwardly-extending guide positioning pin 98 is mounted on theright-hand vertical end member 22. Although not shown, a pin receivingmember for pin 98 is provided on the equipment in which the tube isutilized. The pin receiving member is mounted in preselected relationwith respect to the horizontal removal position of the tube. The size offramework 18 and cradle assembly 32 are such that when the carrier 10-ispositioned adjacent the tube utilizing equipment and pin 98 insertedinto the pin receiving member, the upper cradle (cradle 42 in FIGS. 1and 2) is in horizontal alignment with a tube 12' mounted in its removalposition.

In the use of the carrier 10 described, the carrier 10 may be stored ina convenient location with a replacement klystron tube 12 mounted in thelower cradle 44, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the rollers 14of the klystron tube 12 are received within the channels 90 of theroller guide assemblies 70. At this time, locking pin 62 is receivedwithin one of holes 64 in plate 40 and the cradle assembly 32 is lockedin the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When a klystron tube 12' beingused becomes defective, carrier 10 carrying the replacement tube 12 isrolled to the klystron utilizing equipment and the carrier 10 isproperly aligned with the equipment by insertion of the guidepositioning pin 98 into the pin receiving member on the equipment. Thedefective tube 12 is rotated to its horizontal removal position, and isthus horizontally aligned with the empty upper cradle 42. The defectivetube 12 is then uncoupled from the equipment and rolled into the uppercradle 42. The curved lip 96 of guide member 76 and the taper of the endof member 78 guide the rollers 14 of klystron tube into the channel 90.The tube is moved inwardly of cradle 42 until the leading tube rollers14 engage stops 94. The tube is held firmly in place by the latchassembly, not shown, and the straps 100, if provided.

Carrier 10 now has two tubes 12, 12 mounted therein, as shown in FIG. 2,and the weight in the cradle assembly 32 is evenly distributed. Lockingpin 62 is then removed from the hole 64 and the cradle assembly 32rotated to reverse the positions of the cradles 42, 44 and to align thereplacement tube 12 with the socket vacated by the defective tube 12'.The cradle assembly 32 is relocked in position by locking pin 62, andthe replacement tube 12 is rolled out of cradle 44 and into theequipment tube socket. The new tube may then be coupled into theequipment, rotated to operating vertical position, and put intooperation.

Carrier 10 may then be rolled away from the equipment and the defectivetube 12 removed from the carrier for repairs. A new tube 12 may then beplaced in one of the compartments 42, 44, the carrier cradle 32 rotatedto place the new tube in the lower position, and the cradle again lockedin place.

I claim:

1. A carrier for electron tubes comprising:

a supporting framework having a pair of oppositely disposed verticalends,

a cradle assembly mounted between said ends for rotation about ahorizontal axis,

said cradle assembly comprising a pair of oppositely disposed cradles,

each of said cradles comprising a pair of oppositely disposed,horizontally-extending side members,

said cradles having an open end at the same end of said carrier,

horizontally-extending channel-forming members secured to each of saidside members of said cradles,

said channel-forming members extending to the open end of said cradlesfor receipt of an electron tube to be carried by said carrier throughsaid open end, and

means for locking said cradle assembly with said cradles one above theother.

2. A carrier for electron tubes comprising:

a supporting framework having a pair of oppositely disposed verticalends,

a cradle assembly mounted between said ends for rotation about ahorizontal axis,

said cradle assembly comprising a pair of end support plates rotatablymounted on said vertical ends, and a pair of oppositely disposedcradles,

each of said cradles comprising a pair of oppositely disposed,horizontally-extending side members, and leg members securing the endsof said side members to said support plates,

said cradles having an open end at the same end of said carrier,

horizontally-extending channel-forming members secured to each of saidside members of said cradles,

said channel-forming members extending to said open end of said cradlesfor receipt of an electron tube to be carried by said carrier throughsaid open end, and

means for locking said cradle assembly with said cradles one above theother.

3. A carrier for electron tubes comprising:

a supporting framework having a pair of oppositely disposed verticalends,

a cradle assembly mounted between said ends for rotation about ahorizontal axis,

said cradle assembly comprising a pair of end support plates rotatablymounted on said vertical ends, a central shaft extending between andsecured to said plates, and a pair of oppositely disposed cradles,

each of said cradles comprising a pair of oppositely disposed,horizontally-extending side members, and leg members securing the endsof said side members to said support plates,

said cradles having an open end at the same end of said carrier,

horizontally-extending channel-forming members secured to each of saidside members of said cradles,

at least one of said channel-forming members being of a soft material toprevent damage to said electron tube, and

means for locking said cradle assembly with said cradles one above theother.

4. A mobile carrier for electron tubes comprising:

a supporting framework,

a cradle assembly mounted on said framework for rotation about ahorizontal axis,

said cradle assembly comprising a pair of oppositely each of saidcradles having a pair of oppositely disposed channel-forming membersextending to the open end of said cradles for receipt through said openend of an electron tube to be carried by said carrier, and

means for locking said cradle assembly with said cradles one above theother.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,933,226 10/1933Smith. 2,867,354 1/1959 Aiken. 3,028,020 4/ 1962 Peras. 3,180,125 4/1965OBrien 72239 disposed, horizontally extending cradles, each having 15MARVIN A CHAMPION Primary Examiner an open end,

4. A MOBILE CARRIER FOR ELECTRON TUBES COMPRISING: A SUPPORTINGFRAMEWORK, A CRADDLE ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK FOR ROTATIONABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID CRADLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PAIR OFOPPOSITELY DISPOSED, HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING CRADLES, EACH HAVING ANOPEN, END, EACH OF SAID CRADLES HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSEDCHANNEL-FORMING MEMBERS EXTENDING TO THE OPEN END OF SAID CRADLES FORRECEIPT THROUGH SAID OPEN END OF AN ELECTRON TUBE TO BE CARRIED BY SAIDCARRIER, AND MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID CRADLE ASSEMBLY WITH SAID CRADLESONE ABOVE THE OTHER.